Toxie Team-Up #3 Review

 

Writers: Bryce Ingman, Hanna Bahedry & Kek-W

Artists: Sandy Jarrell, Carol Lay & Steve Conley

Colorist: Sandy Jarrell

Letterer & Production: Rob Steen

Publisher: Ahoy Comics

Cover Artists: Fred Harper & Shannon Wheeler

Trading Card Artist: Greg Scott

Price: $3.99/$4.99

Release Date: August 20, 2025

 

Melvin has bought tickets to see the Mix Bros, but Yvonne won't attend the concert. It's not that she dislikes hip-hop. Yvonne refuses to enter the remodeled Troma-Dome while Roger Leeling's name adorns the marquee. For Yvonne, Roger Leeling exhibits the worst of corporate America. She refuses to associate with any man who is making Tromaville a worse place to live. What has gotten Yvonne so riled? And will Melvin attend the concert of his favorite hip-hop band alone? Let’s grab our mops (and earplugs), leap into Toxie Team-Up #3, and see!

 

Fracking Awesome: Story

Despite missing Yvonne, Melvin can't contain his excitement when he enters the renamed Roger Leeling's Awesome Fracking Dome. He can't wait to see his favorite band perform. Melvin inadvertently makes a friend when he calls Acid Chimp a monkey. Trouble rears its distorted head when an earthquake hits Tromaville.

 

In Bryce Ingman’s story, earthquakes and sinkholes have been plaguing Tromaville since Roger Leeling brought his Awesome Fracking business to town. While Yvonne complains in principle about these visual eyesores, the noise from the rigs is getting on her nerves. But Roger Leeling declaims any responsibility for the earthquakes and sinkholes. His Awesome Fracking rigs are reducing Americans’ dependence on foreign oil.

 

Fracking Awesome reminds us that everything we gain comes at a cost. It also forms a sequel to “It’s A Girl,” the five-page story in The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1. While reminding us of how the rich and powerful form cults of personality, the comic tale in Toxie Team-Up #3 reminds us of the unifying power of music.

 

Fracking Awesome: Art

Sandy Jarrell portrays Yvonne's ire when she pulls back the drapes. While Rob Steen fills white dialogue balloons with black uppercase text that grow bold for intonation, swells for raised voices, and rarely shrinks, he helps us hear what Yvonne finds so objectionable. Readers see earthquakes with closely aligned art and sound effects. The clash of red and blue may make readers reach for their 3D glasses.

 

Toxie wears his pink shirt bearing the lead singer’s face until Acid Chimp splashes him with a vial of green acid. His pink shirt links him with the maroon seats and the strip of purple infrastructure supporting an upper section of seats. The acid also links with Toxie's skin, forming a further connection between the new friends. The dark blue marque sporting yellow letters gets a neon makeover when another earthquake occurs. Like Captain Kirk and Mr Spock, Toxie and Acid Chimp venture into the darkness in Toxie Team-Up #3.

 

The Daily Jed, Episode 117: Entering The Snakepit

Jed Weldon wants to share his insights with you. Today’s technology reduces the barriers, allowing anyone to become a trusted news source. This second story in Toxie Team-Up #3 reminds us that in the competitive environment, “news” providers can easily spice up their "unbiased views" with conspiracy theories. Hanna Bahedry’s story forms a corollary to Roger Leeling’s view of the world in Fracking Awesome. Carol Lay’s drawing symbolizes the dilemma that prompts Jed’s latest bout of watered-down journalism.

 

A Brief History of Science Fiction

The narrator displays a reverence for his ability to spin a yarn as he rewrites Human history through the lens of classic novels and popular movies. His ability to twist the truth in delightful ways recalls Ash Williams' compelling watchability. Steve Conley provides a drawing that perfectly illustrates Kek-W's story.

 

As the narrator closes out this final story in Toxie Team-Up #3, he forms a triumphant trio with Jed Weldon and Roger Leeling. They may evoke the Japanese pictoral maxim "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." But please, don't call them the three monkeys! Thanks to Ahoy Comics and Superfan Promotions for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

Toxie Team-Up #3 delivers a triple dose of fun. The comic tale muses on our complicity in corporate and governmental corruption, while also reminding us of our responsibility to care for our delicately balanced ecosystem. The short stories likewise provoke introspection while delivering a healthy dose of laughs straight from unhealthy (but always compelling) Tromaville.

 

Rating 9.4/10

 

To look inside, see my preview of Toxie Team-Up #3.

 

To check out Matt Bors' story "It's A Girl," see my review of The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1.